1st Saturday each month. Pop in join in with practical growing activities with the Edible Gardening Project volunteers, find out what jobs need doing in your own garden now and have your questions answered.

Every first Saturday afternoon of the month at 3pm join a free, drop in, public tour of the Botanic Cottage and discover how it was saved and rebuilt. Arrive early to avoid disappointment as numbers are limited.

The C4 Rice Project addresses one of the scientific grand challenges of the 21st century. Predicted population increases mean that the area of rice production that fed 27 people in 2010 will have to feed 43 people by 2050. By using technology to introduce C4 biochemical pathways that function in maize, photosynthesis in rice could be supercharged to increase production. Prof Jane Langdale will review current research and explore how this revolutionary project could increase yield with lower inputs and less water.

Food is connected to just about every aspect of our lives. Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI) collective presents a week of tasty science exploring what we eat and how the nation's diet affects our health and that of the natural world. Fun and engaging drop-in activities developed in association with Young Scot will be accompanied by pop-up talks presented by SEFARI scientists at 2pm and 3pm each day, check rbge.org.uk for details.

In Summer 2018, artist Tim Vincent Smith and his team will be building an amphitheatre entirely from discarded pianos to grace the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and we need your help to make it happen. A first of its kind performance space, the #Pianodrome will bring art, music, science, movement and creativity under one geodesic dome roof. Join us to create artisits interventions and build experimental instruments.

Learn the basics of Buckyballs. Using the 88 keys salvaged from a single piano keyboard we will piece together unique geodesic artworks based on Buckminster Fuller's theories about how to make efficient structures using maths. Participants will create their own geodesic models which they can take home before working together to build a unique artwork which will grace the #Pianodrome, an amphitheatre created by artist Tim Vincent-Smith entirely out of discarded pianos, on its completion.

Explore the different sounds that can be made by tapping, bowing, plucking and blowing the various parts of a piano that has been fully dissected. Explore the resonant properties of different woods, metals and felt pieces. Develop your own instrument design with the help of our resident experts in woodwork and acoustics and then get building! Participants will be able to take their completed instrument home with them.